Neighborhood Block Parties

Who wouldn’t want to spend their day (and evening) with friendly, familiar faces that we pass by every day on our way to work, walking the dog, running to the school bus stop, or working in our yards?

Each year, many neighborhoods in Upper St. Clair set aside a day, usually late in the summer, to gather its residents together for traditional block parties. While the parties take on a multitude of forms, the Upper St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department is usually a familiar guest, where a truck and some of its members attend the party and spray some of the party’s energetic youngsters with a fun rush of water.

While many USC neighborhoods hold parties, UPPER ST. CLAIR TODAY found five of them celebrating camaraderie this past summer and fall seasons. As we begin to bundle up and wonder just how long winter will last, showcasing summer parties gives us the hope that our cold weather days will be short-lived.

Brookside Farms

The fifth annual Brookside Farms block party— held each year at the close of summer—was once again a great success! Gorgeous weather, dozens of children, the Upper St. Clair fire truck, a cake walk, and boardwalk-themed games rounded out the festive day. Food was certainly plentiful. While the protein was provided by Frisch’s of Caste Village, attendees complemented the spread with delicious homemade appetizers and salads.

Committee chairs Elaine Shedd, Stephanie Len, Kristine Fishell, Cassie Falkenstein, and Mary Kirk worked hard to create fun experiences, showcasing an exciting theme for this year. “Every year our kids help influence the theme. We’ve done many different themes, including ‘under the big top’ and a luau, but the boardwalk theme seemed a fitting way to end this summer,” said Kristine.

With more than 100 residents attending, it was the most well attended block party to date. “Each year, the event continues to grow. We thoroughly enjoy that we have new faces and new families who join the end-of-summer celebration, alongside residents who have called Brookside home for more than 20 years,” said Elaine, block party treasurer. “It’s a great event for everyone in the neighborhood!”

And since Brookside Farms comprises homes from two neighboring communities—Upper St. Clair Township and the Borough of Bethel Park—this day also brings unity among the neighbors, and gives friends and families time to reconnect before the busy school year begins.

Carriage Lane

Carriage Lane held its sixth annual block party on Saturday, August 25. The designated day for the party is always the Saturday before USC schools open for business and students get back to the books. Growing with each passing year, the event started with games for the kids and water balloons, and continued with a bounce house and a DJ. Sparklers and an outdoor movie capped off a perfect neighborly gathering for residents on this wonderful USC cul-de-sac street.

Deerfield

More than 200 residents from USC’s Deerfield community in the southern end of USC enjoyed a bounce house, a bike parade, the USC Volunteer Fire Department’s water-spraying fire truck, live music, delectable food, and an evening movie at the neighborhood’s annual block party. Held on August 25, the Saturday before the kids went back to school, it was a great opportunity to unwind, relax, and reconnect with neighbors.

Weather was not an issue this year, as Mother Nature provided sunny skies and warm temperatures. Fun lasted from the early afternoon to late into the night when the stars came out and families cuddled together on top blankets to watch a family-friendly movie.

Boxfield/Manordale/ Warwick

With temperatures still resembling the heat of summer, families on Boxfield Road and Manordale and Warwick Drives gathered for their block party on Saturday, September 15. Going well into the evening hours, the daylong event included a visit from the USC firetruck and USC’s Sub Zero ice cream, face painting and activities for the kids, and a delectable food spread.

This annual social gathering is a big hit for this neighborhood, as families celebrate one last summer hurrah while getting back into their fall routines.

Glendale Drive

The Glendale Drive block party enjoyed a chilly weather day of neighborly fun on Saturday, September 22, the first official day of autumn. Complemented by face painting for the kids, Kona Ice, a visit by a USC fire truck, daylong music from a DJ with line dancing escapades, an evening fire pit, and corn hole, the party was a great way to catch up with neighbors and friends while heading into the fall season with a smile and a sweater.